Apparatus for use in connection with fabrication of plastic-clad steel and other metal plates and shapes



April 27, 1965 I R; s. ROTE APPARATUS FOR USE' IN CONNECTlON WITH FICATION O C-CLAD AN STEEL D 0TH S AND SHAPES E PLAS TI METAL PLATEOriginal Filed Nov. 26. 1958 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTOR. fil'chara S'mder RaTe.

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April 27, 1965 R. s. ROTE 3,180, 1

APPARATUS FOR USE IN CONNECTION WITH FABRICATION OF PLASTIC-GLAD STEELAND OTHER METAL PLATES AND SHAPES Original Filed Nov. 26, 1958 2Sheets-Sheet 2 68 INVENTOR.

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nmiuuiu wwm United States Patent APPARATIE FUR USE KN CUNNEC'IIUNWl'illi FAIIBRIQATIUN UlF PLAS'IlU-ULAD STEEL AND MEIER METAL PLATES ANDSHAPES Richard Snyder Rate, Coatesville, Pen, asslgnor to lsulrens SteelCompany, Coatesville, Pan, a corporation of Penn lvania firiginaiapplication Nov. 26, 1953, her. No. 776,623 now Patent No. 2,991,549,dated July 11, 196i. Divided and this application Apr. 13, 196i, Ser.No. 192,867

2 Claims. (Ul. 29-239) This application is a division of my application,Serial No. 776,623, filed November 26, 1958, issued as US. Patent No.2,991,549 on July 11, 1961.

This invention relates to an apparatus for use in connection with thefabrication of plastic-clad steel, and has particular applicationrelating to the joining by welding or other heat treatments of themetallic sheets or plates to each other.

The principal object of the invention is to provide an apparatus forholding the plastic-clad layer ends away from the heating zone when themetal sheets or plates are subjected to the heating operations.

An additional object is to provide a means for separating the ends ofthe plastic coating, which serves not only to hold, during the aforesaidheating operation, the ends of the plastic sheets from the heating zone,but also to provide a shield for absorbing the heat from said heatingzone to prevent melting of the plastic ends during welding of the metalplates.

A further object is to provide adjustable means for use in connectionwith the aforesaid plastic sheet end holding means.

Other objects will appear hereinafter throughout the specification.

In the drawings:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view partly broken away of one form of theapparatus of this invention, and showing a broken away section of theplastic-clad steel;

FIGURE 2 is a perspective view of a second form of the invention;

FIGURE 3 is a perspective view of the third form of the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective view of the fourth form of the invention; andj FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of the fifth form of the invention.

Plastic'clad constructions, which may in a typical construction, consistof a layer of stainless steel or other alloy or nonalloy steel, arebonded to a non-metallic layer of plastic material. In variouscommercial practices, and particularly where it is desired to protectthe steel from the corrosive influences of various corroding influences,as by water, acids, alkalies, and other chemicals which adversely affectthe steel layer, it has been found that a combination of steel withplastic results in a satisfactory product. The plastic layer protectsthe metallic layer while the latter provides strength to the product.The steel, or other metallic layer, provides the necessary strengthcharacteristic and the plastic layer, which is the layer exposed to theacids or other corrosive media, ensures against corrosion. For example,a tank car, a swimming pool, petroleum distillation apparatus, andvarious containers for different types of chemicals may be constructedfrom plastic-clad.

During the fabrication of these articles, particularly when they are oflarge size, it becomes necessary to weld the abutting ends of juxtaposedplates forming the aisasis ice metallic layers to each other. Inasmuchas the present practice is to manufacture plastic-clad in sheets ofdefinite length and width, it becomes necessary to weld a plurality ofsaid sheets to each other in fabricating the article of manufacture. Thebutt ends of the plates, in order to be structurally strong, are usuallywelded to each other. Prior to the welding operation some means must beemployed to peel back or roll back the plastic layer ends which overliethe abutting metallic side edges of the plastic-clad, and to hold saidplastic-clad sheets in such rolled back position during the weldingoperation.

The present invention provides this means for holding the turned backside or end edges of the plastic layer during the welding operation.This holding means may also be employed as a heat shield whereby toprevent the intense heat incident to the welding operation from reachingthe plastic layer during the said welding operation.

Referring now to the first form of the invention, illustrated in FIGURE1, two plastic clad sheets are indicated by the letters A and B, theformer comprising a metallic sheet or slab It and a plastic sheet 12bonded thereto, the latter also comprising a metallic sheet or slab idand a plastic sheet 16 bonded thereto.

Assuming it is desired to weld the sheets Ill and 14 to each other alongtheir adjacent meeting side or end edges designated by the numeral l3,it becomes necessary to break the bond between each of the plasticsheets and the metallic plate to which it is affixed, prior to rollingthe sheets away from the edges 18, and this may be accomplished by anysuitable means in order to roll those portions adjacent these edges awayfrom each other and away from the meeting edges IS of the slabs orplates. The plastic sheet portions having these edges must be held inthis position during the welding operation.

As shown in FIGURE 1, only parts of the plastic-clad structures areshown, but it will be understood that the edges 18 extend for the entirewidth or length of the plastic-clad elements.

The rolled edges Eli and 22 of the plastic layer A may be loosened fromthe underlying metal surfaces by the use of a heated knife or by anysuitable means such as by a chipping tool. When the end portionsincluding the edges are rolled back, as seen in FIGURE 1, they are heldin position away from the edges 18 of the plates during the weldingoperation by the pair of arcuate shaped members 24 and 26. It will beunderstood that these arcuate shaped members extend for the entiredistance which comprises the length of the weld of the edges 18. Spacedalong the length of the arcuate members 24 and 26 and affixed thereto bywelding, brazing, or riveting, are stud members 28 and 3t respectively.These stud members are positioned substantially medially of the arc ofcurvature of the arcuate shaped members 24 and 26 and extend toward eachother, as seen in FIGURE 1, on parallel axes. In other words, studmember 28 is directly opposite stud member 30, this being for thepurpose of joining these two members to each other.

In the structure shown in FIGURE 1, stud members 23 are provided withthreaded ends 32, and stud members 30 are provided with threaded ends34. Each threaded end 32 may be rigidly joined with a threaded end 34 bya nut 36. Each of these nuts is provided with oppositely turned internalthreads, not shown, for engagement with the oppositely turned threads 32and 34 of the stud members 28 and 3d. Rotation of the nut 36 in eitherone or the other direction will result in moving the ends of the studmembers 2% and 3t) toward or from each other. It

'will be noted that these stud members and the nut which connects eachpair of them is spaced away from the edges 3 18 in order that they willnot interfere with the welding operation.

After the plastic portions have been rolled back and secured by thearcuate shaped members, each of the nuts 36 is tightened to hold theserolled edges in proper spaced position, and the arcuate shaped membersserve as heat shields whereby to dissipate the heat due to the weldingoperation and prevent melting of the plastic ends 20 and 22.

Following completion of the welding operation and cooling of the weldjoint, nuts 36 are loosened to the point where the arcuate shapedmembers'may be readily released from engagement with the rolled edges ofthe abutting plastic layers. These layers may then be again attached tothe metallic sheets or slabs 16 and 14, this being accomplished byapplying a suitable adhesive coating to the upper exposed surfaces ofthe slabs It) and 14 or to the under surfaces of the rolled back plasticsheets 12 and 16, or these under surfaces may be partially melted by theapplication of heat to them so that they will again adhere to theexposed metal surfaces. Additionally, the meeting edges 38 and 40 of theplastic layer should be welded to each other in a leakproof manner,either by the addition of any suitable sealing or adhesive substance,many of which are known in the art, in order to prevent any corrosiveliquid in contact with the upper surface of the plastic layer fromfinding its way between the meeting edges 38 and 40. Should suchcorrosive liquids find their way to the metal surfaces, they wouldattack the weld and the metallic sheets A and B and negate the wholepurpose of the plastic layer.

' In the construction shown in FIGURE 2, a pair of arcuate shapedmembers 42 and 44 have been substituted for the arcuate shaped members24 and 26 of the construction heretofore described. It will beunderstood that these arcuate plate members are of such size that theyextend the entire distance which is defined by the meeting edges of themetallic plates. In other words, the width of the arcuate shaped members42 and 44 Would be equal to the meeting edges corresponding to the edges18 of FIGURE 1. One or more bridge members, indicated at 46, is providedwith ends 48 and 50, which are preferably attached to the members 42 and44 by welding but which may be affixed by rivets or any other suitablerigid attaching means. It will be understood that the arcuate shapedmembers 42 and 44 perform the same function as the corresponding members24 and 26 of FIGURE 1, except that in the FIGURE 2 construction it willbe impossible to adjust the members 42 and 44 toward or from each other.It will be further understood that the bridge 46 may have sufiicientresiliency to permit the members 42 and 44 to be readily removed fromthe rolled back edges of the plastic sheets.

. In the structure shown in FIGURE 3, the arcuate shaped members areindicated at 52 and 54. It will be understood that the length of thesearcuate shaped members corresponds generally to the length of the end orside edges noted at 18 in FIGURE 1.

The ends of the arcuate shaped members 52 and 54 are joined to eachother by welding or other suitable attaching means which may comprisethe two end pieces 56 and 58. These are rigidly attached to the arcuateshaped members. It will be noted that the concave sides of the arcuatemembers 52 and 54 are intended for the purpose of spacing and holdingthe rolled back portions of the plastic sheets in the same manner as thearcuate shaped members 24 and 26 function, as illustrated in FIGURE 1.The plastic sheet edges are rolled back and the device of FIGURE 3 isdropped into position so as to hold the rolled back portions in positionduring the welding operation when the welding rods or welding torch isinserted between the arcuate shaped members 52 and 54.

The FIGURE 4 construction is adapted for the fabrication of plastic-cladsteel elements which are joined to each other to form a right-angledjoint. The arcuate shaped members 60 and 62 are located at right anglesto each other and the right angle is formed by end pieces 64 and 66.

Referring now to FIGURE 5, a rigid frame comprising long side pieces 68and 70 and short end pieces 72 and 74 is formed of any suitable materialwhich is not unduly affected by heat. Attached to the long sides 68 and70 are the plates 76 and 78. Assuming that the meeting edges of theplastic layers have been rolled back, say to a position approximatelythat shown in FIGURE 1, the frame with its long and short side pieces isdropped into the position whereby the rolled back edges of the plasticlayers will abut against and be held by the plates 76 and 78. With theparts in this position, the welding of the confronting edges of themetallic slabs may be safely proceeded with without injury to theplastic layer ends, inasmuch as the sheets 76 and 78 not only hold theconfronting edges of the plastic sheets away from each other but alsoserve to dissipate the heat incidental to welding of the side edges ofthe metallic plates to form a unitary structure.

It will be understod that this invention, therefore, is directed in itsseveral embodiments to the provision of a means for use in thefabrication of plastic-clad steel by the provision of means for holdingthe stripped back plastic layer during the welding operation on the basemetal slab described.

Upon stripping back the plastic cladding from the steel base metal for adistance of several inches on either side of a fillet for butt welding,it becomes necessary to keep the plastic away from the high heat of thewelding process in order to prevent softening or melting of the plastic,which because of its properties tends to return to its original positionas cladding on the steel base metal.

The provision of the means for accomplishing this object, which meansmay consist of a metal bracket which may or may not have curved piecesor arcuate shaped members of various lengths, will serve to hold backthe plastic cladding during welding of the base steel. The metal piecesor shields which engage the rolled back plastic cladding ends may be ofany suitable shape or length to suit the metal to be worked upon. Theapparatus may be installed in position for holding the plastic clad endsin rolled back position during welding, and it may then be moved atwill. The apparatus may be quickly and easily moved into and out ofoperative position, and may be used indefinitely, since replacement willbe unnecessary. The apparatus is preferably composed entirely of metal.

The word steel in the specification and claims is intended to includeferrous metals and their alloys as well as other metals which may befabricated by heat treatment.

It will be understood that various shapes and sizes may be employedwhereby to accomplish the objects of this invention, which consists inproviding a means for temporarily holding the side edges of the plasticsheets away from each other during the Welding operation and for heatshielding during the welding operation of metallic slabs to each otherduring the fabrication of various shaped objects of plastic clad metal,such as joining the heads of tanks to the cylindrical body portionsthereof, or the joining of the angled sides of various types ofreceptacles and other objects during the fabrication thereof.

The above description and drawings disclosed several constructiveembodiments of the invention, and specific language has been employed indescribing the several figures. It will, nevertheless, be understoodthat no limit- .ations of the scope of the invention are therebycontemrolled-back plastic portions of plastic clad steel plates beingwelded comprising a pair of spaced-apart elongated substantiallystraight and parallel sheath members, said members being of substantialwidth and arcuate in cross section with their convex surfaces facing oneanother, a pair of studs for firmly connecting said members to eachother and maintaining same in a spaced parallel relationship, said studsbeing extended comparatively thin parts affixed to said sheath memberssubstantially medially with respect to'the width of said convex surfaceswhereby the area being welded is bridged and the welding operation isfree from interference.

2. The invention of claim 1 wherein the studs are adjustable whereby thedistance between the member is variable.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Pye 113103Huelsick 254-10O Jauch 254-100 Buchanan 254-100 Wall 29-491 XR Cramer2541()0 Martin 29-157.4 XR Johnson 113-97 CHARLES W. LANHAM, PrimaryExaminer.

JOHN F. CAMPBELL, Examiner.

1. AN APPARATUS FOR HOLDING BACK AND SHIELDING THE ROLLED-BACK PLASTICPORTIONS OF PLASTIC CLAD STEEL PLATES BEING WELDED COMPRISING A PAIR OFSPACED-APART ELONGATED SUBSTANTIALLY STRAIGHT AND PARALLEL SHEATHMEMBERS, SAID MEMBERS BEING OF SUBSTANTIAL WIDTH AND ARCUATE IN CROSSSECTION WITH THEIR CONVEX SURFACES FACING ONE ANOTHER, A PAIR OF STUDSFOR FIRMLY CONNECTING SAID MEMBERS TO EACH OTHER AND MAINTAINING SAME INA SPACED PARALLEL RELATIONSHIP, SAID STUDS BEING EXTENDED COMPARATIVELYTHIN PARTS AFFIXED TO SAID SHEATH MEMBERS SUBSTANTIALLY MEDIALLY WITHRESPECT TO THE WIDTH OF SAID CONVEX SURFACES WHEREBY THE AREA BEINGWELDED IS BRIDEGED AND THE WELDING OPERATION IS FREE FROM INTERFERENCE.